Buffon the hero as Juventus put one hand on title

Milan: Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon saved a last-gasp penalty from Nikola Kalinic as leaders Juventus put one hand on a record-equalling fifth consecutive Series A title with a dramatic 2-1 win over Fiorentina.

Juventus will claim a fifth straight title in Italy's top flight if second-placed Napoli fail to beat Roma at the Stadio Olimpico today.

But judging by the jubilant post-match scenes in Florence, where Allegri was thrown in the air by his players, it is now only a matter of time before Juve are crowned champions for the fifth year running.

Yet it was a rollercoaster game at the Stadio Artemi Franchi, Alvaro Morata scrambling in what turned out to be the winner on 83 minutes just after Kalinic had cancelled out Mario Mandzukic's 39th-minute opener only two minutes earlier.

Buffon then stopped the Croatian's spot-kick at the death after he had been hauled down by Juan Cuadrado. Davide Astori spurned a great chance in injury time, the Italian's header from a tight angle coming off post and crossbar as Buffon scrambled to get the ball to safety.

Juve's 27th win in 35 games leaves the Turin giants on 85 points, 12 ahead of Napoli ahead of their visit to the Stadio Olimpico today when 30-goal striker Gonzalo Higuain will make his return from a three-match ban for the visitors. Coach Massimiliano Allegri said last week he would happily watch Juve crowned champions on television if Roma beat Napoli later today.